Page 40 of Wicked Titan

“I don’t understand.”

“You have two choices. You can run off and tell your stepdaddy all about this conversation or you can keep your eyes and ears open and let me know if anything comes up.” He hands me a card with a phone number written in pen on the back.

I shove the card in my bag. “I have to go.”

“Be careful who you trust.” His voice sounds impatient and stern, causing me to halt, though I don’t turn to look at him. “This world is a different beast than the one you grew up in.”

“I don’t trust anyone, you included,” I say over my shoulder.

“Smart girl,” he says as I walk away, my head swarming with the overload of information.

My fingers shake, fumbling through my locker combination as the hallway empties, leaving me alone to stare into my locker, not concerned when the final bell rings. I’m too caught up in what a brain twister this world has become. Each day reveals new evils and more deception than the one before, and my dad was somehow involved in all of it. I need to know what happened to my dad. A gloomy feeling tells me more lies will come to light before the truth is revealed.

31

The conversation from this morning weighs heavily on my mind as I sit with Victoria at lunch, unable to concentrate on the math book in front of me.

Elliot slides onto the bench next to Victoria with a mischievous grin. “You missed an epic party Friday night, Quinnster.”

Heat spreads across my cheeks as I recall the private party going down (no pun intended) in my garage during Asher’s absence at his own.

Victoria slams her book closed, looking to Elliot. “Why are you over here?”

“I’m talking to my friend, so mind your business, lil’ V.” He mocks her head shake.

It’s clear Victoria isn’t any happier with her nickname than I am with mine. Elliot sure does have a knack for giving out horrible ones.

Asher sits next to me, straddling the wooden bench to face me.

“Seriously? Why are you over here? Go back to your spot,” Victoria says to her brother, who predictably disregards her.

Wade hops up, sitting on the end of the table as he talks to Elliot.

“Fine.” Victoria jams her books in her bag as she stands. “I’ll leave.”

“I’ll walk with you.” I dart up without looking to my side where I know Asher is watching.

I hurry to catch up with Victoria as she storms into the school.

“Hey. Are you all right?”

She hesitates a moment before speaking. “I’ve just had enough of them all over the house all weekend, and I’m not in the mood to deal with any of them right now.”

“That’s understandable. Why don’t we go watch the librarian feed crickets to her snake to make you feel better?” I give her a half-smile as she shakes her head with a laugh. We head to the library, both trying to distract ourselves from everything we aren’t ready to deal with.

* * *

Walking to shop class, I’m still disturbed by what I saw in the library when someone grabs my arm, hauling me quickly into an empty room.

The familiar scent of vinegar fills my nose as I blink rapidly, waiting to adjust to the darkness, when a soft red glow appears in the room. Memories of the last time we were in this room leave me unsettled.

“Stop doing that.”

“You’re still here, so you must not mind too much.” Asher steps in front of me, red light reflecting in his eyes as he leans forward, stopping just as his lips brush against mine before retreating.

Damn him. He knows exactly what he’s doing and enjoys every moment of it. “You’re insufferable.”

“And I’d bet you’re wet.” He casually strolls to the back of the room, shuffling through something on the table.